LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A lawsuit filed in mid-February claiming that a former employee was fired after raising ethics concerns over the First Lady of Louisville's role in the mayor's administration was dismissed on Wednesday.
Thomas Clay, Samantha Ricketts' attorney, explained the argument is that First Lady Rachel Greenberg "is exercising the function of a supervisor and Metro Government." Ricketts was a former Metro Government graphic specialist employee.
"She's given orders, given instructions, given deadlines, scheduling meetings," Clay said. "And that is what we consider to be a violation of Metro governance ethics."
"She had raised her concerns to a supervisor who indicated to her that he had taken it to 'the fourth floor' which is the mayor's office," he added. "The elimination of her position follows shortly after."
The lawsuit argued that the city violated Kentucky's whistleblower law.
According to court records, Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Tracy E. Davis ruled that "there is no allegation that Ms. Ricketts made or attempted to make a good faith disclosure of a suspected ethics violation to an appropriate authority" under Kentucky law.
"What is not alleged in Plaintiff's Verified Complaint, or in her Response to the instant motion is that Ms. Ricketts ever made any ethics complaint against the First Lady," Davis said. "Indeed, the only reference made to a formal ethics complaint regarding the First Lady is to a complaint filed by an unrelated third party.
In a statement sent to WHAS11 News last month, the mayor referred to Ricketts as "a disgruntled former employee," adding she "applied for and was offered another position that better matched her career goals at the same salary."
Mayor Craig Greenberg issued a statement on Wednesday saying:
"The allegations made by former employee Sam Ricketts had no legal merit and the Court clearly saw that and quickly dismissed the case. As I’ve said before, our city is fortunate to have Rachel – a compassionate, loving and kind First Lady who is committed to making an impact by volunteering with schools, children and families throughout Louisville who welcome her with open arms and smiles. I will continue to focus on what matters: Making Louisville a safer, stronger and healthier city for everyone."
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